Pilgrim Songs--Psalm 122 and Mark 11:1-11

This is the first Pilgrim Song attributed to King David.  (You will likely see the heading "A Song of Ascents" introducing each of these Psalms.  We are referring to them as Pilgrim Songs.)  David is making the journey to Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel-- known as the "foundation of peace".  The tribes referenced here are the 12 Tribes of Israel--one tribe for each of the sons of Jacob in Genesis.  Jerusalem was built for the purpose of unity, to draw the tribes and their descendants to one place to worship.  The phrase "bound firmly together" can actually be translated "To tie a magic knot around"! David leads the congregation to pray for their beloved city.   

King David is calling his fellow pilgrims to corporate, or united group, worship.  He said it was time for "US" to go to the house of the Lord.  He encompasses the whole traveling group when he says OUR feet have arrived in Jerusalem.  So many important things have happened in this city that binds them--including the establishing of David's kingdom.  And David is glad to share in this time of worship with his brothers and sisters.  Corporate worship--of anything, really--brings a solidarity and harmony that is missing when we worship alone.  The pilgrims are drawn to Jerusalem by decree and by tradition.  The city represents all that binds them together as a people.  The temple--the house of the Lord OUR God--rested within the gates of Jerusalem, and that leads them to pray for peace, security and goodness.  

*Christ Connection*--Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem 5 days before Passover.  Maybe He heard the other pilgrims singing this song written so many years ago by their warrior King David, and maybe He joined in!  While the pilgrims walked into the city (King David says "Our feet have been standing in the gates of Jerusalem"), Jesus arrives on a donkey-- a symbol of peace, not power.  This is a victory!  As the pilgrims pour into the city, many join voices in a new song--"Hosanna! Praise to the One who comes in the Name of God, from the ruling dynasty of King David!"  United worship turns from the foundation of peace, Jerusalem, to the One who is Peace Personified, Christ Jesus.   (Ephesians 2:14).  

During the time of lockdown, I missed corporate worship with my church family.  Just as the tribes of Israel, under the first covenant, were instructed to go to a specific place -the temple-to worship God in His presence, so are we, believers under the new covenant, bought with the blood of Christ Jesus, commanded to meet together for corporate worship. These verses change me by helping me to realize that our hearts are made to overflow in praise to God.   May we unite in praise, bound with the magic knot of the love of God, for the sake of the name of Christ Jesus!